Page 33 of Wickham Likes 'Em Young
“Ladies,” her father addressed the family, “I am pleased to announce that Mr Darcy has proposed and our Lizzy has accepted, and they are to be married. The date will be determined, but it shall be at least a month from now.”
When her father said his first words, Elizabeth’s eyes were locked onto Darcy’s, but when he said the word “proposed,” for some reason she flicked a glance towards Jane and saw that she looked shocked and upset, as if it were bad news. But Elizabeth’s eyes turned back to Darcy’s again, after a mere fraction of a moment, and when she looked back at Jane, after their father’s announcement was over, Jane was smiling.
Mrs Bennet squealed and crowed in the most mortifying way. Kitty looked pleased and not the least bit surprised, and Lydia called out from the landing a tentative, “La! ’Tis good news!” that was almost certainly motivated by Mr Bennet’s stern look. Mary gave her a sideways hug and smiled and nodded at Darcy.
Jane said, “Congratulations to the happy couple!”
Elizabeth shot another glance at her elder sister, remembering that first negative response. She felt certain that the sweet smile and pleasing words were insincere.
But again, she shook off her conflicted feelings about her sister and allowed her eyes to fix onto Darcy’s smiling gaze. Shelonged to be by his side, and she startled as she remembered her father’s words.
“A month!” Elizabeth said. “That is such a long wait.”
Mrs Bennet stopped crowing long enough to say, “Goodness, child, it has not even been a month since you met! And it takes time to make arrangements for a trousseau and a wedding breakfast, you know. Especially one worthy of Mr Darcy! Ten thousand a year!”
Mr Bennet spoke over her continuing effusions: “One month is not a long engagement, not by any means, Lizzy. By all rights, I should insist on a longer engagement, but I see the sense of Mr Darcy’s arguments that he needs to be in Pemberley for the Festive Season, as he always is, for his family’s and tenants’ sakes, and that he wishes for his bride to be by his side. This plan also gives him time for a more relaxed journey home to check on his mines and to fetch his sister.”
Elizabeth nodded. All of that sounded sensible. She remembered how empty she had felt the last time Darcy left to go to Pemberley, but she felt certain that she would feel very differently this time. She could not tell from his expression what Darcy felt about the timing.
But a moment after that thought, he was by her side, leaning down to whisper to her, “It sounds torturous to me, too, dearest, but your father is correct in each of his points. I could even posit arguments for each of your mother’s points, as well.”
“Oh, dear, I believe the end of the world may be nigh,” Elizabeth whispered. “My betrothed is siding with my parents over me!”
“Your betrothed is so very happy to be counted as such; he is convinced that heaven has come to earth.” He held both of her hands and brought them up to his lips for a kiss as he continued in a soft voice, “But I certainly hope that the end of the world will hold off for a good, long while, because I am positive it will takedecades for me to take a full measure of your character, your personality, your charms, your charisma.”
“When do you have to go back to Pemberley?” Elizabeth asked. “I am going to miss you so much.”
“I have not yet planned all the timing, I wanted to sit with you and discuss. Your father has allowed us the use of his bookroom and even provided a calendar. Are you ready to have that discussion?”
Elizabeth agreed but hugged her sisters and parents before following him into the bookroom. She was startled that her father followed her to the door, but he said, “I am allowing you the privacy of the room, but the door shall remain partially open, and I will be nearby.”
“Thank you, Papa.”
Only a few moments after he stepped out, Elizabeth found herself in her beloved’s arms. Even with her father lurking nearby, even with the door still open a few inches, Elizabeth felt almost entirely satisfied within the tender embrace. After what seemed a timeless period of silent bliss, the two were startled apart by the words, “I had better hear some wedding planning in there.”
Elizabeth sat in her father’s chair, and her beloved brought one of the chairs around so that he was sitting beside her. “First,” he said, “I want you to learn about the marriage articles I had drawn up. Your father has already approved…” Elizabeth had to work hard to block out all the new sensations she was feeling, but she managed to focus on the practical tasks at hand.
CHAPTER 14
7 November 1811
The next day Elizabeth planned a celebration of sorts for herself and Darcy, because the following day he would leave for Pemberley. She arranged with Hill for a picnic, and she planned to climb up to Oakham Mount.
Even though the sky was banked with grey clouds, it was warmer than it had been the day before. Still, she packed into her basket a warm blanket in addition to the sheet Hill had provided to sit on.
When her intended arrived, he too had made plans. He had a basket of food and a blanket. They laughed to see their almost-identical preparations.
“I hope you are hungry,” Darcy said.
“Oh, I am, believe me,” Elizabeth said.
He laughed at her. “I cannot tell if you use double entendres on purpose or accidentally, in all innocence.”
“What?” she asked. “Oh!” She could feel herself blushing.
Darcy nodded. “In innocence. Either way would have been delightful, but somehow I cannot help but think that this is beyond mere delight.”
He offered to take her basket, but she shook her head. “I would rather take your arm, sir.” Instead, he offered his hand,and he interlaced their fingers. So they began their walk, each holding a basket and a blanket and each other’s unencumbered hand.
